Klay Thompson’s next team 'essentially a done deal' as Mavericks buyout looms originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Miami Heat’s offseason already took a significant hit after losing LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers. Since then, the Heat have been sitting on their hands all summer, holding out for one specific target to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, Miami refuses to surrender young assets to force a trade for Klay Thompson. Instead, the front office is banking entirely on a contract buyout from Dallas. And that patience is already costing them other options. And it doesn't look like they care.
The Heat spent the offseason searching for perimeter shooters to place alongside Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. That search initially led them to Bradley Beal, the three-time All-Star who missed all but six games last season with a fractured hip.
Miami discussed a role with Beal's camp but only offered a veteran-minimum contract to protect their available exception money. Beal turned down the offer and returned to the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $13.2 million deal.
DeMar DeRozan also targeted Miami but sought the team's $5.5 million bi-annual exception. The front office refused to hand over those funds, preferring to save the exception entirely for Klay Thompson.
Miami Herald reporter Barry Jackson wrote that Thompson-to-Heat is essentially a done deal once Dallas works out a buyout, adding that Miami chose Thompson over both Beal and DeRozan and is saving the bi-annual exception specifically for him.
Thompson is entering the final year of a three-year, $50 million contract that pays him $17.46 million this season. His production dropped to 11.7 points per game on 38.3% shooting from deep last year, which is well below his usual career standards.
Dallas is ready to move on before his contract ends and prefers a trade over a buyout. Team president Masai Ujiri is staying in direct contact with Thompson about his future,
But the Mavericks face a tight deadline. They must cut their roster down to 15 players before the regular season begins. That could ultimately force them into a buyout.
Heat insider Ethan Skolnick also expects Miami to land the veteran shooter without parting with any assets. "I believe that the Heat will end up with Klay Thompson and I don't believe they will have to trade anything for him," Skolnick said, per Heavy.
If a buyout happens, Thompson would immediately step in as a vital perimeter spacer next to Antetokounmpo and Adebayo. Every single day, the Heat-Klay Thompson saga gets more interesting. It remains to be seen how things unfold in the near future.
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